A 60-year-old Fannie Bay man and a 75-year-old Gunn man were arrested as part of separate investigations into the online sexual exploitation of children, while a third person from Humpty Doo had their home raided and devices seized for further investigation, NT Police said.
All three incidents came within the last 10 days, police said, highlighting the importance of protecting children from online exploitation during National Child Protection Week.
The Humpty Doo incident involved someone allegedly uploading child abuse material online, but investigations are still ongoing with charges yet to be laid.
NT Police said the NT Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) was informed about the 60-year-old Fannie Bay man from WA Police who alleged he had used a video chat platform to “engage online in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16”.
AFP and Australian Border Force officers, along with JACET, executed a search warrant on the man’s home on August 31, where they seized electronic devices which “allegedly contained evidence corroborating the victim’s account”.
The man was arrested and charged with accessing child abuse material, using a carriage service for sexual activity with a person under 16, and using a carriage service for grooming a person under 16.
The second separate investigation involved the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) receiving intelligence that cryptocurrency transactions involving a 75-year-old Gunn man were suspected of accessing online child abuse material.
NT JACET started an investigation in April, which led to a search warrant executed on the man’s Palmerston home on September 1 assisted by ABF investigators.
Electronic devices from the home allegedly linked to the offending were seized and the man was arrested and charged for “accessing child pornography and accessing child abuse material”, police said.
Humpty Doo incident involved someone allegedly uploading child abuse material: Police
The third investigation involving the Humpty Doo resident was initiated after the ACCCE received a report from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the Territorian allegedly uploading child abuse material online.
JACET investigated and executed a search warrant at the Humpty Doo home on September 2 with help from the ABF.
Devices were seized and police said they are currently undergoing “further digital forensic examination”, with the investigation ongoing and no charges laid yet.
Police did not say if they suspected the material was produced in the Territory.
NT Police said they also conducted “compliance checks on individuals listed on the Child Protection Offender Registry” in the lead-up to National Child Protection week.
“Those who use online platforms to access, share or produce child abuse material should understand that their activity leaves a digital trail,” said NT Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Cronin.
“Our investigators work closely with interstate, federal and international partner agencies to identify alleged offenders and, most importantly, protect children from further harm.
“Child abuse material is not just content on a screen. It is evidence of the real abuse and exploitation of a child, and every time it is accessed or shared, that harm is repeated.
“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. If you become aware of concerning online behaviour involving a child, report it immediately.”
The AFP said it also remained committed to tracking down anyone involved in online child exploitation.
ABF Superintendent Amanda Coppleman said all law enforcement agencies would continue to work together.
“ABF officers across the country take action daily to prevent child abuse material crossing the Australian border – increasing awareness around child abuse material ensures we are not masking the topic anymore – as this year’s theme highlights, every conversation matters,” Supt Coppleman said.
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community is a priority for the ABF, we will continue to target and identify those who intend to bring abhorrent material to our shores and potentially harm innocent victims.”
Territorians can report suspected online child sexual exploitation to the ACCCE at its website.
Police reminded Territorians that if a child is in immediate danger they should call Triple Zero (000).
Looks like this subject needs to be a mainstream topic in school- make sure victims know they’re not the criminal- and cut a path to make it easier for kids to talk to someone they trust at school. I was an avid reader at 7yrs of age, and maybe that’s why I felt I could confide in the librarian at my school.